Agenda item
Transport for London Red Route Network Investment Plan
A representative from Transport for London will be present to give a presentation and answer any questions Members may have.
(Time allocated – 30 minutes)
Minutes:
Mr Rob Edwards, Transport for London Road Network Planning Unit, and Mr Tom Frith, Senior Network Development Planner Transport for London, gave a presentation which focused on the following points:
· Nature of TfL road network across London and in Tower Hamlets.
· Complex and competing demands on the network and TfL methodology for identifying priorities/ allocating resources for these.
· Works undertaken and programmed in Tower Hamlets.
· Sites and issues of concern in Tower Hamlets/ mitigating action.
· Challenges ahead: Extreme funding constraint and short term disruption of TfL restructure.
The Chair requested that Mr Edwards and Mr Frith relay matters of concern raised by Member (to be minuted in detail by the clerk), that went beyond their defined remit of representing TfL in relation to the Red Route Network with appropriate officials in TfL, and that a response be provided for the next meeting of the Committee.
A detailed question and answer session followed which was centred on the following points:
· Mile End crossings:
o Mr John Biggs, GLA Member had Tabled a paper of concerns, a copy of which would be interleaved with the minutes.
o Timescale for implementation of design work/ options to address identified safety issues. Full scheme including improvement of western approach to be implemented by end of 2011, but looking to bring elements forward.
· Perceived neglect of the east of the Borough for upgrade work to transport network in favour of schemes around the City Fringe. Proportion of TfL budget/ spend allocated to Tower Hamlets in recent times requested in this context.
· Perception of poor level of cooperation and engagement with the Council, despite Tower Hamlets doing its part:
o Delays/ urgent need for acceleration of schemes to improve road safety Eg Whitechapel Crossing, Mile End crossings, Vallance Road, Glamis Road.
o Need to improve gateways to the Borough – perception of the Borough was one of traffic congestion.
o Hindering welcome signage defining Tower Hamlets as a place; a matter of Borough pride.
o Support in promoting cycle routes in the borough.
· Need for a point of contact/ engagement with TfL to ensure an adequate level/ speed of response to enquiries/ concerns. Contact person to be invited to a future meeting of the Committee.
· Severe driver behaviour problem in relation to crossing pedestrians and urgent need for greater focus/ priority from TfL to prevent more fatalities.
· Correlation between reduced speed limits and numbers of fatal road accidents but also recognition that some fatalities were not related to speed, for example left turning HGV’s.
· Scope for proactive joint working between agencies such as TfL, Police, Council to prevent accidents involving pedestrian and cyclists at high risk sites, in the context of the perception that before improvements were made a fatality and associated site visit was required. TfL Road Safety Unit methodology outlined.
· Need for improved coordination/ regulation of roadwork activities to mitigate/obviate large numbers of small incomplete roadworks with associated detritus.
· The lack of good river crossings in Tower Hamlets and resident expectations for improvement.
· Proposals to extend the Red Route Network in Tower Hamlets.
· Progress between TfL and other parties on placing Aspen Way underground.
· Plans to make the Highway safer in proximity to Bluegate Fields School.
The Chair thanked Mr Edwards and Mr Frith for attending and making their presentation.